Image processing apparatus and image processing apparatus system

ABSTRACT

An image processing apparatus includes an input unit that receives setting information and a processor. The processor logs in a user based on authentication information received by the input unit, and then sets a setting state of the image processing apparatus for performing an image processing function, according to the setting information received by the input unit after the user is logged in. In response to a logout instruction received by the input unit, the processor provides the setting information to a storage unit accessible to the processor so that the setting information is stored in correspondence with the authentication information in the storage unit, and logs the user out. When the user is logged in again, the processor retrieves the stored setting information corresponding to the authentication information of the user, and sets the setting state of the image processing apparatus according to the retrieved setting information.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/454,532, filed on Aug. 7, 2014, the entire contents of each of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

In a copying machine or a multifunction peripheral that includes acopying machine, which is used by a plurality of users, authenticationof a user needs to be performed. For example, each user may use thecopying machines or multifunction printer only after performing a login.

However, the copying machine or the multifunction peripheral describedabove is at a previously set state when a user performs a login to usethe copying machine or the multifunction peripheral. Therefore, when auser performs a login to perform the same operation as when the user waspreviously logged in, a re-setting of the copying machine or themultifunction printer has to be performed in some cases.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an external view illustrating an example of an imageprocessing apparatus, according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a login screen, according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of theimage processing apparatus, according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating example operations for saving asetting state, according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating example operations for restoring thesetting state, according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of animage processing apparatus system, according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating example operations for saving asetting state, according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating example operations for restoring thesetting state, according to the third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An image processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes anauthentication unit that authenticates a user and logs in the user whenthe user is authenticated. An input unit receives an input from the userindicating a setting of a function of the image processing apparatus. Asetting management unit causes a storage unit to store settinginformation corresponding to the setting indicated by the input from theuser, while the user is logged in, and to store the setting informationwhen the user logs out. A setting state control unit retrieves thesetting information of the user and sets a setting state of the imageprocessing apparatus according to the retrieved setting information whenthe authentication unit logs in the user.

Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described with referring todrawings.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is an external view illustrating an example of an imageprocessing apparatus 100 according to a first embodiment. The imageprocessing apparatus 100 may be configured as an image forming device(for example, a copying machine, printer, or facsimile machine) whichforms an image and outputs the image on a sheet. The image processingapparatus 100 may be, for example, a scanner which performs imageprocessing on an input image. The image processing apparatus 100 may bea multifunction printer (MFP) which includes a copying machine function,a printer function, a scanner function, a facsimile function and thelike. In the following description, a case in which the image processingapparatus 100 is an MFP will be described as an example.

The image processing apparatus 100 reads a sheet to generate digitaldata. For example, a sheet read by the image processing apparatus 100 ispaper or a film having a manuscript, a character, a picture, and thelike. The sheet read by the image processing apparatus 100 may beanything that the image processing apparatus 100 is capable of reading.In addition, the image processing apparatus 100 prints an image or acharacter corresponding to digital data on a sheet such as printingpaper. The image processing apparatus 100 includes a touch panel 110, animage reading device 120 (image reading unit), a printing unit 130(image forming unit), a control panel 140, and a paper tray 150.

Each of a plurality of users performs a login operation so that theimage processing apparatus 100 can be used by the user who logs in. FIG.2 illustrates a display example of a login screen displayed on the touchpanel 110. The touch panel 110 integrally includes a display unit fordisplaying information and an input unit for receiving an operationinput. The login screen receives input of a user ID (identificationinformation of the user) and a password (authentication information ofthe user) for a user authentication. When the user ID and the passwordare input by the user and a login button is pressed, the imageprocessing apparatus 100 receives the user ID and the password. Then,the image processing apparatus 100 performs user authentication usingthe received user ID and password. The image processing apparatus 100allows an authenticated user to log in to the image processing apparatus100. After authentication, the authenticated user may use the imageprocessing apparatus 100.

Moreover, the touch panel 110 receives an operation input from the userregarding a function or a setting of the image processing apparatus 100,while logged in. For example, the touch panel 110 receives an operationinput for selecting a function that a user uses among the copyingmachine function, the printer function, the scanner function, thefacsimile function and the like. Moreover, the touch panel 110 receivesan operation input for selecting a type, a size or the like of a sheetto print using the copying machine function or the printer function. Inaddition, the touch panel 110 receives an operation input for selectingor inputting a transmission destination to perform a transmission usingthe facsimile function. Moreover, the touch panel 110 receives anoperation input for logging out from a state of being logged in.

The control panel 140 includes a mechanical operation button, andreceives an operation input from the user with respect to the operationbutton. For example, the control panel 140 includes a power button forturning on/off power of the image processing apparatus 100, and receivesan operation input with respect to the power button. In addition, thecontrol panel 140 includes a number key (numeric keypad) for inputting anumber, and receives an operation input with respect to the number key.For example, the control panel 140 receives an operation input whichsets the number of sheets to print using the copying machine function orthe printer function.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configurationof the image processing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment.The image processing apparatus 100 includes a first input unit 11, adisplay unit 12, a second input unit 14, an image reading unit 20, animage forming unit 30, a storage unit 40, and a control unit 50.Respective units included in the image processing apparatus 100 areconnected to each other by the internal bus 15, and exchange data witheach other through the internal bus 15.

The first input unit 11 and the display unit 12 are integrallyconfigured as the touch panel 110 which receives an operation input froma user. The first input unit 11 is an input device which detects acontact on a screen of the display unit 12 and receives an operationinput of a user. For example, the first input unit 11 receives a settingregarding a function of the image processing apparatus 100 by anoperation input of a user with respect to the touch panel 110. Moreover,when receiving the operation input of a user, the first input unit 11supplies input information corresponding to the received operation inputto the control unit 50. The display unit includes a liquid crystaldisplay, an organic Electro-Luminescence (EL) display, or the like whichdisplays information such as images and characters.

The second input unit 14 is an input device which receives an operationinput from the control panel 140. For example, the second input unit 14receives the setting regarding the function of the image processingapparatus 100 by an operation input of a user from the control panel140. In addition, when receiving an operation input from a user, thesecond input unit 14 supplies input information corresponding to thereceived operation input to the control unit 50.

The image reading unit 20 includes a Contact Image Sensor (CIS) or asensor such as a Charge Coupled Device (CCD). The image reading unit 20reads a sheet on which a manuscript, a character, or a picture isdisclosed using a sensor, and generates corresponding digital data. Theimage reading unit 20 is included in the image reading device 120illustrated in FIG. 1.

The image forming unit 30 prints the images or characters correspondingto the digital data on a sheet such as printing paper. A printing methodof the image forming unit 30 may included fixing a toner image, forexample. An ink jet method or other image forming methods may also beused to perform printing. The image forming unit 30 is included in theprinting unit 130 illustrated in FIG. 1.

The storage unit 40 includes a recording medium such as a flash ROM, andHard Disk Drive (HDD) or a combination thereof. The storage unit 40stores a program, data, various types of information, and the like forcontrolling each unit included in the image processing apparatus 100.For example, the storage unit 40 includes a data storage unit 41, anauthentication information storage unit 42, an authentication userinformation storage unit 43, and a setting information storage unit 44.

The data storage unit 41 stores various types of information and datanecessary for performing each function such as the copying machinefunction, the printer function, the scanner function, and the facsimilefunction. For example, the data storage unit 41 stores informationrepresenting a function selected by an operation of a user in the imageprocessing device 100, a type or a size of a sheet to print, the numberof sheets to print, and the like. In addition, the data storage unit 41stores digital data which is generated by the reading of a sheet by theimage reading unit 20. Moreover, the data storage unit 41 stores digitaldata received by the facsimile function when the image processingapparatus 100 performs the facsimile function. For example, the imageforming unit 30 may print an image or a character corresponding to thedigital data stored in the data storage unit 41.

In addition, the data storage unit 41 stores initial state informationwhich represents an initial state of the image processing apparatus 100set in advance. For example, when the image processing apparatus 100 isstarted first after a factory shipment, a setting state of the imageprocessing apparatus is stored as the initial state information.

The authentication information storage unit 42 stores authenticationinformation of a user which allows a user to use the image processingapparatus 100. For example, the authentication information storage unit42 stores, as authentication information, a user ID and password of auser who is allowed to use the image processing apparatus 100. The userID and password are stored in association with each other.

The authentication user information storage unit 43 stores userinformation of a user who is authenticated and allowed to log in to theimage processing apparatus 100. For example, the authentication userinformation storage unit 43 stores the user ID of the user during thelogin. It is possible to specify the user during a login by a user IDstored in the authentication user information storage unit 43.

In addition, the authentication user information storage unit 43 maystore a user ID of a user, and flag information which represents whetheror not a login is being performed, in association with each other. Forexample, the authentication user information storage unit 43 may storethe user ID of a user who logs in and the flag information whichrepresents that a login was performed, in association with each other.Moreover, when the user logs out, the authentication user informationstorage unit 43 may store the user ID of the user and information whichrepresents that a login is not being performed, in association with eachother. Similarly, when the user logs out, the authentication userinformation storage unit 43 stores the user ID of the user andinformation which represents that a logout is being performed, inassociation with each other.

The setting information storage unit 44 stores setting state informationwhich represents a setting state of the image processing apparatus 100.For example, the setting state of the image processing apparatus 100includes information which represents which function of the copyingmachine function, the printer function, the scanner function, thefacsimile function, and the like is selected. In addition, the settingstate includes information regarding a type or a size of a sheet toprint by the copying machine function or the printer function, or thenumber of sheets to print. In addition, the setting state includes atransmission destination to transmit to by the facsimile function. Thesetting information storage unit 44 stores a user ID of a user using theimage processing apparatus 100 and setting state information whichrepresents the setting state of the image processing apparatus 100 setby the user in association with each other.

The control unit 50 includes a central processing unit (CPU) whichfunctions as a control center of the image processing apparatus 100, adedicated processor, or the like. The control unit 50 controls each unitincluded in the image processing apparatus 100. For example, the controlunit 50 includes an equipment control unit 51, an authentication unit52, a setting management unit 53, and a setting state control unit 54.

The equipment control unit 51 causes the copying machine function, theprinter function, the scanner function, the facsimile function and thelike to be performed by controlling an operation of each unit includedin the image processing apparatus 100. For example, the equipmentcontrol unit 51 controls an operation of each unit according to afunction selected by an operation input of the user. In addition, theequipment control unit 51 controls an operation of each unit accordingto information set by an operation input of the user. More specifically,the equipment control unit 51 controls a reading operation by an imagereading unit 20 according to the operation input of the user. Inaddition, the equipment control unit 51 controls a storing of digitaldata generated by the image reading unit 20 in the data storage unit 41.In addition, the equipment control unit 51 controls reading of thedigital data from the data storage unit 41 or printing of the readdigital data to the image forming unit 30.

The equipment control unit 51 acquires a function selected andinformation set by an operation input of the user by input informationprovided to the control unit 50 from the first input unit 11 or thesecond input unit 14. In addition, the equipment control unit 51, basedon the acquired input information, causes information which represents afunction and a setting selected the user to be stored in the datastorage unit 41 and updates the information at any time.

The authentication unit 52 performs a user authentication for a user whointends to use the image processing apparatus 100. Thereby, anauthenticated user is allowed to log in to the image processingapparatus 100. For example, the authentication unit 52 acquires inputinformation including a user ID and password input in a login screen(FIG. 2) through the first input unit 11 as authentication informationof the user. Then, the authentication unit 52 performs a userauthentication by comparing the acquired authentication information withauthentication information stored in the authentication informationstorage unit 42. When the acquired authentication information accordswith the authentication information stored in the authenticationinformation storage unit 42, the authentication unit 52 allows the userto log in to the image processing apparatus 100. Accordingly, the usermay use the image processing apparatus 100. Moreover, at this time, theauthentication unit 52 causes user information of the authenticated user(for example, user ID) to be stored in the authentication userinformation storage unit 43. On the other hand, the authentication unit52 does not allow a user to log in to the image processing apparatus 100when the acquired authentication information does not accord with theauthentication information stored in the authentication informationstorage unit 42.

In addition, when acquiring input information representing a logoutthrough the first input unit 11, the authentication unit 52 causes theuser who is logged into be logged out. Accordingly, a user who waspreviously logged is no longer able to use the image processingapparatus 100. In addition, at this time, the authentication unit 52erases a user ID of the user who was previously allowed to log in, whichis stored in the authentication user information storage unit 43 (forexample, referred to as “null”).

The setting management unit 53 causes setting state information for eachauthenticated user to be stored in the setting information storage unit44. The setting state information represents a setting state regarding afunction of the image processing apparatus 100 when a user is logged in.For example, when a user logs out, the setting management unit 53 causessetting state information (which represents a setting state immediatelybefore the logout) to be stored in the setting information storage unit44. More specifically, the setting management unit 53 causes the user IDof the authenticated user and the setting state information immediatelybefore logout to be stored in the setting information storage unit 44 inassociation with each other. That is, the setting management unit 53stores the user ID of the user and the setting state information in thesetting information storage unit 44 in association with each other.

When a user is allowed to log in by the authentication unit 52, thesetting state control unit 54 refers to the setting state informationstored in the setting information storage unit 44. Then, the settingstate control unit 54 sets the image processing apparatus 100 to asetting state corresponding to setting state information previous storedin association with the user ID of the authenticated user. For example,when a user is allowed to log in by the authentication unit 52, thesetting state control unit 54 sets the setting state of the imageprocessing apparatus 100 to a setting state immediately before apreceding logout of the authenticated user. Accordingly, when a userlogs in again after logging out, the image processing apparatus 100 mayrestore the setting state immediately before the preceding logout. Thus,according to the embodiment, when a user logs in to perform the sameoperation as a previous operation, it is unnecessary for the user toreset desired settings of the image processing apparatus 100. Therefore,it is possible to improve an operability of the user.

Next, restoring processing in which the image processing apparatusrestores a setting state at a time of a preceding login will bedescribed with referring to FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating example operations for saving asetting state, according to the embodiment. First, an operationprocedure for saving the setting state of the image processing apparatus100 immediately before a logout, at the time of the logout, will bedescribed with referring to FIG. 4.

First, in a state when the user is logged in the image processingapparatus 100, the user performs an operation for a logout with respectto the touch panel 110. The authentication unit 52 acquires the inputinformation which instructs a logout through the first input unit 11(ACT10).

After acquiring the input information which instructs a logout, theauthentication unit 52 notifies the setting management unit 53 of theacquired information. The setting management unit 53 acquires a currentsetting state—such as a function, a setting, and the like of the imageprocessing apparatus 100 used by the user-from the data storage unit 41(ACT20). Then, the setting management unit 53 stores setting stateinformation, which represents the acquired setting state, and the userID of the user who is currently logged in the setting informationstorage unit 44, in association with each other (ACT30). Accordingly,the setting management unit 53 saves the setting state immediatelybefore the logout of each user.

When storing the setting state information in the setting informationstorage unit 44, the setting management unit 53 notifies theauthentication unit 52 of the stored information. The authenticationunit 52 performs logout processing and causes a user who logs in to belogged out from the image processing apparatus 100 (ACT40).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating example operations for restoring asetting state, according to the embodiment. Next, an operation procedurefor restoring a setting state of the image processing apparatus 100 at atime when the user logs in to a setting state from immediately beforethe user's preceding logout will be described with referring to FIG. 5.

First, in a state of logout from the image processing apparatus 100, auser performs a login operation with respect to the touch panel 110. Theauthentication unit 52 acquires authentication information of the user(user ID and password) through the first input unit 11. Theauthentication unit 52 performs user authentication by comparing theacquired authentication information with authentication information of auser who is allowed to use the image processing apparatus 100, which isstored in the authentication information storage unit 42. Then, when theacquired authentication information accords with the authenticationinformation stored in the authentication information storage unit 42,the authentication unit 52 allows the user to log in to the imageprocessing apparatus 100 (ACT50).

Next, the setting state control unit 54 refers to setting stateinformation stored in the setting information storage unit 44. Then, thesetting state control unit 54 determines whether or not setting stateinformation corresponding to the authenticated user is stored. That is,the setting state control unit 54 determines whether or not the settingstate information corresponding to the authenticated user has beenpreviously saved (ACT60).

When it is determined that the setting state information correspondingto the authenticated user is saved (ACT60: Yes), the setting statecontrol unit 54 acquires the setting state information corresponding tothe authenticated user from the setting information storage unit 44(ACT70). Then, the setting state control unit 54 restores a settingstate of the image processing apparatus 100 to a setting staterepresented by the acquired setting state information (ACT80).

On the other hand, when it is determined that the setting stateinformation corresponding to the authenticated user is not saved (ACT60:No), the setting state control unit 54 sets the setting state of theimage processing apparatus 100 to an initial state (ACT90).

Accordingly, when the user logs in, the image processing apparatus 100according to the embodiment may restore the setting state from when theuser previously logged in. Therefore, when a user logs in after loggingout, resetting the image processing apparatus 100 may be unnecessary.Therefore, according to the image processing apparatus 100 of theembodiment, it is possible to improve an operability of a user.

For example, when an authenticated user logs out, the setting managementunit 53 stores setting state information, which represents a settingstate immediately before the logout, in the setting information storageunit 44.

In other words, the image processing apparatus 100 may save a lastsetting state that was set before the user logs out.

Moreover, the setting management unit 53 stores a user ID(identification information) of an authenticated user and setting stateinformation of the user in the setting information storage unit 44, inassociation with each other. Accordingly, the image processing apparatus100 may manage the setting state of the image processing apparatus 100for each user when each user logs in.

In the embodiment described above, an example in which the imageprocessing apparatus 100 restores a previous setting state immediatelybefore a preceding logout when the user logs in again is described. Theimage processing apparatus 100 is not limited to the example, but mayrestore a setting state which has a high setting frequency based on asetting state immediately before a plurality of times the authenticateduser logs out in the past. In addition, the image processing apparatus100 may restore a setting state which has a high setting frequencyduring a login based on a setting state when the user is allowed to login.

Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, aconfiguration in which a saving destination of a setting state is set toan external storage device will be described.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configurationof the image processing apparatus system 1 according to a secondembodiment. The image processing apparatus system 1 includes a pluralityof image processing apparatuses (for example, image processingapparatuses 101, 102, 103, and 104), and a server 200. Each of theplurality of image processing apparatuses 101, 102, 103, and 104 isconnected to the server 200 in a communicable manner through a network5. The network 5 is an information communication network such as theinternet, or a Local Area Network (LAN).

The server 200 is an example of an external storage device providedseparately from the plurality of image processing apparatuses 101, 102,103, and 104. The server 200 includes a server communication unit 210, aserver control unit 220, and a server storage unit 230. The servercommunication unit 210 communicates with each of the plurality of imageprocessing apparatuses 101, 102, 103, and 104. The server control unit220 causes the server storage unit 230 to store information received bythe server communication unit 210. In addition, the server control unit220 transmits the information stored in the server storage unit 230 tothe plurality of image processing apparatuses 101, 102, 103, and 104through the server communication unit 210.

The server storage unit 230 stores the information acquired from each ofthe plurality of image processing apparatuses 101, 102, 103, and 104.For example, the server storage unit 230 stores setting stateinformation acquired from each of the plurality of image processingapparatuses 101, 102, 103, and 104. The setting state information issetting state information described in the first embodiment. The serverstorage unit 230 stores the setting state information acquired from eachof the plurality of image processing apparatuses 101, 102, 103, and 104and a user ID in association with each other. That is, the serverstorage unit 230 corresponds to the setting information storage unit 44included in the image processing apparatus 100 according to the firstembodiment.

In the following description, the image processing apparatuses 101, 102,103, and 104 have the same configuration, respectively. The imageprocessing apparatus 101 will be described as an example when notparticularly distinguished.

A configuration of the image processing apparatus 101 is the same as theconfiguration of the image processing apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG.3 except that the image processing apparatus 101 includes thecommunication unit 60 and does not include the setting informationstorage unit 44. The image processing apparatus 101 includes a firstinput unit 11, a display unit 12, a second input unit 14, an imagereading unit 20, an image forming unit 30, a storage unit 40A, a controlunit 50, and the communication unit 60. In this drawing, the samereference numeral is applied to the same configuration as in FIG. 3, andthe description thereof is omitted.

The storage unit 40A includes the data storage unit 41, theauthentication information storage unit 42, and the authentication userinformation storage unit 43, but does not include the settinginformation storage unit 44 illustrated in FIG. 3. The communicationunit 60 communicates with the server 200 through the network 5.

In the image processing apparatus system 1 according to the embodiment,the image processing apparatus 101 saves the setting state correspondingto each user in the server 200. That is, the setting management unit 53of the image processing apparatus 101 stores setting state informationwhich represents a setting state of each user in the server storage unit230 of the server 200, through the network 5. In addition, the settingstate control unit 54 of the image processing apparatus 101 acquires thesetting state information which represents a setting state of each userfrom the server storage unit 230 of the server 200 through the network5.

In this manner, the server 200 saves the setting state information whichrepresents a setting state of each user of the image processingapparatus system 1. Accordingly, a plurality of image processingapparatuses 101, 102, 103, and 104 may share a setting state for eachuser in each image processing apparatus. Therefore, the image processingapparatus system 1 may restore a setting state from when a userpreviously logged in even though the user later logs in using any of theimage processing apparatuses. For example, the image processingapparatus system 1 may restore a setting state from a time of a logoutby a user using the image processing apparatus 101 when the user logs inusing another image processing apparatus 102. Therefore, even if theuser logs in again using any of the image processing apparatuses after alogout, the user starts an operation using a setting state previouslyset. That is, the user may operate using any of the plurality of imageprocessing apparatuses without performing setting operations again.

Next, restoring processing in which the image processing apparatussystem 1 restores a setting state when a user has logged in previously,according to the second embodiment, will be described. The operationprocedure for saving a setting state according to the second embodimentis different from the operation of ACT30 in the operation procedureillustrated in FIG. 4. In ACT30, the setting management unit 53transmits setting state information, which represents a current settingstate, to the server 200 by associating with a user ID of the user whois currently logged in.

In an operation procedure for restoring a setting state according to thesecond embodiment, operations of ACT60 and ACT70 in the operationprocedure illustrated in FIG. 5 are different from in the firstembodiment. In ACT60, the setting state control unit 54 refers to thesetting state information stored in the server storage unit 230. Then,the setting state control unit 54 determines whether or not the settingstate information corresponding to the authenticated user is stored.When it is determined that the setting state information is saved(ACT60: Yes), the setting state control unit 54 acquires setting stateinformation representing the setting state from the server storage unit230 (ACT70).

The authentication unit 52 allows an authenticated user to log in to theimage processing apparatus by performing a user authentication. Thesetting management unit 53 transmits setting state information(representing a setting state when the image processing apparatus waspreviously used) during a login to the server 200 through the network 5for each authenticated user. The setting state control unit 54 refers tothe setting state information stored in the server 200 when a login isallowed by the authentication unit 52. Then, the setting state controlunit 54 sets the setting state of the image processing apparatus to asetting state represented by setting state information corresponding tothe authenticated user.

In addition, the server 200 includes the server communication unit 210and the server storage unit 230. The server communication unit 210receives setting state information transmitted from each of theplurality of image processing apparatuses (101 and the like) through thenetwork 5. The server storage unit 230 stores the setting stateinformation received by the server communication unit 210.

As described above, in the image processing apparatus system 1 accordingto the embodiment, the server 200 saves setting state informationrepresenting a setting state of each user. Accordingly, the imageprocessing apparatus system 1 may share a setting state of each useramong the plurality of image processing apparatuses (101 and the like).Therefore, the image processing apparatus system. 1 may restore asetting state from when a user was previously logged in even though theuser later logs in using any image processing apparatus.

For example, when an authenticated user logs out, the setting managementunit 53 of the image processing apparatus 101 transmits setting stateinformation which represents a setting state immediately before thelogout to the server 200. Moreover, when a login is allowed by theauthentication unit 52, the setting state control unit 54 refers topredetermined setting state information among the setting stateinformation stored in the server 200. The predetermined setting stateinformation is setting state information transmitted from an imageprocessing apparatus from which the authenticated user logs out lastamong the plurality of image processing apparatuses (101 and the like).Then, the setting state control unit 54 sets a setting state of theimage processing apparatus to a setting state represented by thepredetermined setting state information.

Accordingly, the image processing apparatus system 1 may allow a user tostart an operation using a setting state previously set by the user eventhough the user logs in using any of the other image processingapparatuses. Therefore, the user may perform an operation using any ofthe plurality of image processing apparatuses without performing settingoperations again.

Any of the plurality of image processing apparatuses (101 and the like)may be configured to function as the server storage unit 230 of theserver 200. That is, any of the plurality of image processingapparatuses (101 and the like) may be configured to function as theserver 200.

Moreover, in an example illustrated in FIG. 6, four image processingapparatuses 101, 102, 103, and 104 are included, but the number of imageprocessing apparatuses is not limited thereto.

Third Embodiment

Next, a third embodiment will be described.

In the image processing apparatus system 1 illustrated in FIG. 6, aportion or all of the plurality of image processing apparatuses (101 andthe like) may include the setting information storage unit 44illustrated in FIG. 3. Then, one or both of the internal settinginformation storage unit 44 and the external server storage unit 230 ofthe image processing apparatus 101 may store setting state informationwhich represents a setting state.

For example, the image processing apparatus 101 may select one of theinternal setting information storage unit 44 and the external serverstorage unit 230 as a saving destination of the setting stateinformation. As an example, the image processing apparatus 101 may storesetting state information in the external server storage unit 230 whencommunication is established with the server 200. On the other hand, theimage processing apparatus 101 may store the setting state informationin the internal setting information storage unit 44 when communicationwith the server 200 has failed.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrates example operations for saving asetting state according to the third embodiment. FIG. 7 illustrates anexample of the operation procedure in which an internal storage unit oran external storage unit of the image processing apparatus 101 saves asetting state. In FIG. 7, the same reference numeral is applied to thesame operation as in FIG. 4, so that the description thereof is omitted.

When acquiring a current setting state of the image processing apparatus100 (ACT20), the setting management unit 53 determines a savingdestination of setting state information representing the acquiredsetting state (ACT25). When the saving destination is determined to beinside (ACT25: inside), the setting management unit 53 causes theacquired setting state information to be stored in the settinginformation storage unit 44, in association with the user ID (ACT35).Thereafter, the authentication unit 52 performs logout processing andcauses the authenticated user to be logged out from the image processingapparatus 100 (ACT40).

On the other hand, when the saving destination is determined to beoutside (ACT25: outside), the setting management unit 53 transmits theacquired setting state information to the server 200, in associationwith a user ID (ACT36). The server control unit 220 of the server 200acquires setting state information and the user ID through the servercommunication unit 210. The server control unit 220 causes the acquiredsetting state information and the user ID to be stored in the serverstorage unit 230 in association with each other. Afterwards, theauthentication unit 52 performs logout processing and causes the user tobe logged out from the image processing apparatus 100 (ACT40).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating example operations for restoring asetting state according to the third embodiment. FIG. 8 illustrates anexample of operation procedures for restoring the setting state of theimage processing apparatus to a setting state saved by an internalstorage unit or an external storage unit of the image processingapparatus 101. In FIG. 8, the same reference numerals are applied to thesame operations as in FIG. 5, and the description thereof will not bedescribed.

When the authentication unit 52 allows a user to log in to the imageprocessing apparatus 100 (ACT50), the setting state control unit 54determines a saving destination of setting state information whichrepresents a setting state (ACT55). When it is determined that thesaving destination of the setting state information is inside (ACT55:inside), the setting state control unit 54 determines whether or not thesetting state information corresponding to the authenticated user issaved in the setting information storage unit 44 (ACT65). When it isdetermined that the setting state information corresponding to theauthenticated user is saved in the setting information storage unit 44(ACT65: Yes), the setting state control unit 54 acquires the settingstate information from the setting information storage unit 44 (ACT75).Then, the setting state control unit 54 restores a setting state of theimage processing apparatus 100 to a setting state represented by theacquired setting state (ACT80). On the other hand, when it is determinedthat the setting state information corresponding to the authenticateduser is not saved in the setting information storage unit 44 (ACT65:No), the setting state control unit 54 sets the setting state of theimage processing apparatus 100 to an initial state (ACT90).

On the other hand, when it is determined that a saving destination ofthe setting state information is outside (ACT55: outside), the settingstate control unit 54 determines whether or not the setting stateinformation corresponding to the authenticated user is saved in theserver storage unit 230 (ACT66). When it is determined that the settingstate information corresponding to the authenticated user is saved inthe server storage unit 230 (ACT66: Yes), the setting state control unit54 acquires the setting state information from the server storage unit230 (ACT76). Then, the setting state control unit 54 restores thesetting state of the image processing apparatus 100 to a setting staterepresented by the acquired setting state (ACT80). On the other hand,when it is determined that the setting state information is not saved inthe server storage unit 230 (ACT66: No), the setting state control unit54 sets the setting state of the image processing apparatus 100 to theinitial state (ACT95).

As described above, in the image processing apparatus system accordingto the embodiment, each of a plurality of image processing apparatuses(101 and the like) includes the setting information storage unit 44illustrated in FIG. 3. Then, the setting management unit 53 of each ofthe plurality of image processing apparatuses selects a savingdestination of setting state information as either the server storageunit 230 of the server 200 and the setting information storage unit 44of the image processing apparatus.

Accordingly, the image processing apparatus system 1, according to thethird embodiment, may switch a saving destination of setting stateinformation between outside and inside according to the communicationstate of the network 5. For example, each of the plurality of imageprocessing apparatuses (101 and the like) may save setting stateinformation inside when communication with the server 200 has failed.Then, each of the plurality of image processing apparatuses (101 and thelike) may transmit setting state information so that the setting stateinformation is saved in the server 200 when communication with theserver 200 is established.

In addition, when a login is allowed by the authentication unit 52, thesetting state control unit 54 selects a storage unit as either theserver storage unit 230 of the server 200 or the setting informationstorage unit 44 of the image processing apparatus. Next, the settingstate control unit 54 refers to the setting state information stored inthe selected storage unit. Then, the setting state control unit 54 setsthe setting state of the image processing apparatus to a setting staterepresented by the setting state information corresponding to theauthenticated user.

Accordingly, the image processing apparatus system 1 may switch areference destination of setting state information between outside andinside according to a communication state of the network 5. For example,each of the plurality of image processing apparatuses (101 and the like)refers to the setting state information inside and restores a settingstate when communication with the server 200 has failed.

According to the image processing apparatus 100 of at least one of theembodiments described above, when a user logs in, it is possible torestore a setting state from when the user was previously logged in andauthenticated. Therefore, it is possible to improve an operability of auser.

In further embodiments, an authentication server that is disposedexternal to the image processing apparatus may perform the functions ofthe authentication information storage unit 42 in the image processingapparatus 100. In addition, other types of user authentication may beused in the embodiments. For example, an IC card may be used as analternative to the manual inputting of user ID and password.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described hereinmay be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of theinventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intendedto cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope andspirit of the inventions.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image processing apparatus comprising: aninput unit configured to receive setting information; and a processorconfigured to: log in a user based on authentication informationreceived by the input unit, set a setting state of the image processingapparatus for performing an image processing function, according to thesetting information received by the input unit after the user is loggedin, in response to a logout instruction received by the input unit,provide the setting information to a storage unit accessible to theprocessor so that the setting information is stored in correspondencewith the authentication information in the storage unit, and log theuser out, and when the user is logged in again, retrieve the storedsetting information corresponding to the authentication information ofthe user, and set the setting state of the image processing apparatusfor performing the image processing function according to the retrievedsetting information.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thesetting information is a selection of one of a copy function, a printfunction, a scan function and a facsimile function.
 3. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the setting information is a size of asheet to be used in a printing operation.
 4. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the setting information is a transmission destinationfor a facsimile operation.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the processor provides the setting information for each of aplurality of authenticated users to the storage unit.
 6. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the processor communicates with thestorage unit via one of an internal connection and an external networkconnection.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processorselects the storage unit from one of an internal storage unit and anexternal storage unit, based on a communication status between the imageprocessing apparatus and the external storage unit.
 8. An imageprocessing system comprising: a plurality of image processingapparatuses; and a storage device connected to each of the plurality ofimage processing apparatuses through a network, wherein: each of theplurality of image processing apparatuses includes: an input unit thatreceives setting information, a communication interface forcommunicating data over the network, and a processor configured to: login a user based on authentication information received by the inputunit, set a setting state of the image processing apparatus forperforming an image processing function, according to the settinginformation received by the input unit after the user is logged in, inresponse to a logout instruction received by the input unit, transmitthe setting information to the storage device so that the settinginformation is stored in correspondence with the authenticationinformation, and log the user out, when the user is logged in again,retrieve the stored setting information corresponding to theauthentication information of the user, and set the setting state of theimage processing apparatus for performing the image processing functionaccording to the retrieved setting information.
 9. The system accordingto claim 8, wherein the setting information is a selection of one of acopy function, a print function, a scan function and a facsimilefunction.
 10. The system according to claim 8, wherein the settinginformation is a size of a sheet to be used in a printing operation. 11.The system according to claim 8, wherein the setting information is atransmission destination for a facsimile operation.
 12. The systemaccording to claim 8, wherein the storage device stores settinginformation for each of a plurality of authenticated users.
 13. Thesystem according to claim 8, wherein the processor in each of theplurality of image forming apparatuses causes an internal storage unitto store the setting information while the user is logged in so that thesetting information is also stored when the user logs out.
 14. Thesystem according to claim 13, wherein the processor in each of theplurality of image forming apparatuses selects a storage destination ofthe setting information from either the internal storage unit or thestorage device, based on a communication status between thecorresponding image processing apparatus and the storage device.
 15. Animage processing method comprising the steps of: authenticating a loginevent corresponding to a user identification; receiving a setting forperforming an image processing function of an image processingapparatus; setting a setting state of the image processing apparatusaccording to the received setting; at a logout event, causing a storageunit to store setting information corresponding to the setting incorrespondence with the user identification; and when a new login eventcorresponding to the user identification is authenticated, retrievingthe setting information and setting a setting state of the imageprocessing apparatus for performing the image processing functionaccording to the retrieved setting information.
 16. The method accordingto claim 15, wherein the setting information is a selection of one of acopy function, a print function, a scan function and a facsimilefunction.
 17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the settinginformation is a size of a sheet to be used in a printing operation. 18.The method according to claim 15, wherein the setting information is atransmission destination for a facsimile operation.
 19. The methodaccording to claim 15, further comprising: causing the storage unit tostore setting information for each of a plurality of authenticatedusers.
 20. The method according to claim 15, further comprising:monitoring a communication status between the image processing apparatusand an external storage unit; and based on the communication status,selecting the external storage unit or an internal storage unit as thestorage unit for storing the setting information in correspondence withthe user identification.